Treaty and truth-telling in new Bill

A landmark Bill to establish the treaty structures - a First Nations Treaty Institute and a Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry – was introduced into the Queensland Parliament yesterday.

The Bill was co-designed by the Interim Truth and Treaty Body (ITTB) and the Queensland Government.

ITTB was established in August last year to represent the aspirations of First Nations peoples and guide the way forward on Queensland’s treaty journey in the coming months.

ITTB member Aaron Fa’Aoso said his passion for the work he was doing on the Path to Treaty ran deep.

As a storyteller, visionary, and advocate for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Aaron said he joined the ITTB, not only to be a voice for his people of Zenadth Kes, but to add to a collective voice, one determined to create change.

“We are about to go through a revolution – we are on the cusp of it, and what’s exciting is that we are all a part of it,”

Aaron said.

He said he saw the Path to Treaty Bill 2023 as a ‘game changer’ for First Nations peoples and the State of Queensland.

The Bill formalised the Government’s commitment to truth telling and treaty-making, and allowed for the next crucial steps to take place –establishing a First Nations Treaty Institute (Institute) and a Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry (Inquiry).

“As a nation, as individuals – to let the healing process begin to occur – we’ve got to recognise the atrocities and the history of the Frontier Wars that occurred,” he said. “For us to grieve as a Country, to sit as a Country, but also celebrate the richness of our identity.

“As people of Zenadth Kes, we have one of the oldest living cultures in the world and that is something to celebrate – that makes Queensland so unique.

“The depth of knowledge and connection to the environment that First Nations peoples embody is so profound.

“This all contributes to where we are now.

“From the work of our forefathers who have called for treaty, the work happening in the political landscape, in the production industry to elevate and enhance First Nations stories, and what we are doing here today, will be the foundation of what our Country looks like moving into this exciting new phase.”

The Inquiry will set a strong foundation for individuals to share their truth on their terms, and will support individuals to be comfortable with sharing their truth.

It will officially document their stories and uncover the untold and unrecognised history of Queensland.

In addition to supporting First Nations treaty readiness, the Institute will manage a sustained process of truth telling and healing for all Queenslanders.